The Modern Witch's Guide to the Autumnal Equinox🍎
Hello witches, and happy Autumnal Equinox (and for those reading from the Southern Hemisphere, happy Spring Equinox!)
Even for those who don’t intentionally work with the Wheel of the Year and consciously celebrate it’s cyclical turns, the Autumnal Equinox is a magickal time — the veil between the worlds is thinning in anticipation for Halloween, the darker half of the year approaches and more practically, we embrace the invitation to endlessly binge our favorite 80s slasher movies while warming our insides with pumpkin-spiced lattes and cozying in at an age-inappropriate hour (wait…is that just me!?) I wanted to honor this transitional moment with September’s bonus email by inspiring you with some fresh Autumnal Equinox celebration ideas, based on my own personal traditions and routines (and if you’re finding this e-mail after Thursday the 22nd— when the sun officially enters Libra, marking the day of the Equinox — please don’t feel it’s too late to celebrate. All of these exercises and practices can be done throughout fall and aren’t specific to the actual day. For modern witches, Autumnal celebrations continue well into October. You’re right on time!)
As someone who is not a Wiccan witch, you probably already know that the ways in which I celebrate and observe the eight Pagan holidays aren’t based on the specific rites and rituals created by Gerald Gardner in the late 40s and 50s; instead, I incorporate elements of ancient magickal tradition while also leaving room for personalization and modernization (I personally know that if a practice doesn’t feel authentic to me, accommodate my busy schedule or allow me to celebrate in a way that feels modern and impactful, I simply won’t do it!) It’s especially important that we develop our own traditions and rituals for the Autumnal Equinox since from a purely secular perspective, fall’s arrival means different things for each of us depending on whether we’re freshly back to work or enrolled in school (or have young witchlets or others in our household who are!), and our geography is also likely to shape the tone of our rites and rituals (if you’re on the East Coast like me, for example, this time of year is marked by some pretty distinct weather shifts while that may not be the case in your area.) Even if you don’t adopt your own version of any of the below specific practices, my hope is that they’ll leave you inspired to begin to craft your own!
Wrap Up & Wind Down
Traditionally, the Autumnal Equinox marks the final harvest, a time to collect the last of the summer growth and focus on preserving the gathered crops to sustain our bodies throughout the harsh winter months ahead. But to the modern witch who isn’t a farmer living on an ancient Celtic homestead (and has access to delightful conveniences like Doordash, year-round imported produce at the supermarket and a fully functional freezer), it’s helpful to think of this as more of an energetic wrap-up period rather than a physical one. Especially since the Autumnal Equinox falls during Mercury Retrograde this year, it’s a wonderful opportunity to address any outstanding obligations requiring your attention or to put the final touches on any half-completed projects, both magickal and mundane. Consult your BOS or manifestation journal and revisit your Spring Equinox intentions from this year, celebrating whatever manifested in full. If there’s anything which didn’t come to fruition, or perhaps only manifested partially, consider whether you’re still interested in fully realizing the vision or if your feelings on the subject have changed or your excitement levels have waned. If you’re no longer enthusiastic about the dream, clear the way for new intentions to come forward; if you do want to see it through or revive a dormant desire, the good news is you have plenty of time to do so before rest season officially begins (I always get a second wind of magickal inspiration around the time of the Autumnal Equinox!) More practically, consider whether you’re up-to-date on everything from teeth cleanings, car maintenance, health check-ups and work meetings as you prepare to settle in for winter; if you know it’s in your nature to socially retreat a bit during the colder season, maybe it’s a good idea to take this week to have a coffee date, plan an outing or send a thoughtful message to a friend you haven’t seen or heard from in a little while. It’s also a good idea to physically stock the house around this time with everything you need for a comfortable, safe and plentiful winter — personally, I love to enter this season with an abundance of my favorite scented candles as we approach seven months of closed windows (and now that we have a two-cat household, the Autumnal Equinox is my reminder to stock up on Doterra Tri-ease anti-allergy soft gels so my dander-sensitive man and I aren’t sniffling all winter!) I’ve also made it a tradition to start a fresh journal every Autumnal Equinox, a joyful act of marking the beginning of the season of introspection. For me, the act of selecting a new journal and imbuing it with magick is so fun! As a writer, few things excite me more than the potential of an empty notebook to fill with the year’s thoughts, ideas, goals, dreams, tapping sessions and ritual outlines — I believe that when we put pen to paper, real magick happens, and preparing my journal as the container for the year’s work has become it’s own sacred process and ritual. I usually take the time to select a journal I really like with beautiful cover art that speaks to me (my last one was a recycled Decomposition notebook with mermaids sketches on it!) but this year, I grabbed a plain sketchbook with a hard white cover which I’m going to decorate myself and bless and charge during my Equinox ritual (you can get your supplies at a local craft store, but there are a lot of options for beautiful stickers on Etsy.) If you also like the idea of going with a basic moleskin sketchbook, make the process of adorning and personalizing it intentional and deliberate: as you add your stickers, photographs, glitter, magazine clippings or hand-drawn sketches, play your favorite music, burn a ritual candle, drink something warm and delicious and really take your time with it (and don’t forget to give it a good smudge or bless it via your cleansing method of choice; I also like to dedicate my new journal to a particular intention by writing an affirmation on the first page.) As we approach Yule Season, arm yourself with plenty of whatever your personal winter essentials are: dried herbs and spices to fill your pantry, local meat to pop in the freezer, a new filter for your air purifier, an endless supply of lavender-scented foaming bubble-bath, a heated blanket (highly recommend!), a couple good books to add to your library, a bulked-up tea selection or even a stylish new fall jacket to brave the cold with. In addition to stocking up on physical supplies, it’s also a good time to tend your nest more generally, organizing and cleaning your home in anticipation of spending a lot more time inside of it. If there’s anything that truly annoys you about your space that you just haven’t gotten around to correcting in the midst of summer’s hustle and bustle— those outdated curtains, that dusty corner, that wretched wall-color or your over-flowing closet — now is the time to eliminate those environmental stressors. Even if you already love your space, it’s a good time to introduce even more special touches to make each room feel more well-balanced and cozy for spending lengthy periods of time (houseplants, candles, and artwork are great ways to do this.) If you’ve yet to organize your closet for the changing season and return your sweaters, jackets and flannels to the forefront, the equinox is a great time to do this (and why not make it a ritual by burning a candle and being really present and intentional with each garment?) By harnessing the Equinox’s last little bit of buzzy solar energy and motivation, we set ourselves up for a comfortable, abundant and restful winter (and therefore, a vibrant and productive spring come next year!)
Apple Symbolism
A prominent symbol in witchcraft because of the five-pointed star harbored within, the apple finds it’s way into many different cultural and religious mythologies and folktales and, from prompting Snow White’s dormant state of near-eternal slumber to inadvertently instigating the Trojan War, it’s role is always significant and never without hefty symbolism. To witches, the Apple represents our interconnectedness with nature (with the pentagram in the center symbolizing the four elements plus the additional element of spirit!) but in the various myths and folklore in which it appears, this plot-furthering pome fruit usually surfaces when a kind of initiation or maturation is about to take place. Returning briefly to Snow White’s tale, she’s given the apple by an old Crone which is itself significant; the Crone is usually depicted in Disney as evil or grotesque, but this is mostly because of patriarchal discomfort with women aging (and in that process, becoming wiser and more powerful.) As witches, we know that mature femininity is incredibly honorable and sacred, and we revere the Crone as the facet of the Divine which brings deep wisdom and empowerment but only through bouts of adversity or discomfort. Hekate, Kali-Ma, and the Morrigan are a few names of this archetypal energy, as nearly every ancient culture worships a Goddess who is deeply loving and supportive but a powerful force which shouldn’t be evoked unless the witch in question is ready for some major life shifts. The Crone Goddess is present with us through major life lessons and initiations (and sometimes, may even orchestrate them to facilitate our transformation), and even though she lovingly offers her guidance and comforting presence as we navigate these times (as Hekate comforted Persephone in the Underworld, illuminating her path by the warming glow of her torchlight), unlike the Goddess in her more motherly aspect, she never directly intervenes or removes us from an opportunity to learn or evolve simply because we’re uncomfortable (and just as Persephone becomes empowered Queen of the Underworld* as a result, we too emerge with a newfound sense of personal power and inner strength following an initiation by the Crone Goddess.) Snow White isn’t really a love story but a feminine coming-of-age tale — in accepting and ingesting the apple, innocent Snow White learns the painful but too-true lesson that not everyone she’s going to encounter has pure intentions, and while her fate seems dire for a moment, she ultimately emerges from the tale not only unscathed but armed with a new sense of maturity and discernment (and a hunky man to show for it, but while that may be fleeting, her newfound wisdom will forever accompany her and hopefully, inform and empower her decision-making.) Many cultures celebrate apples as symbolic in different ways; in Norse mythology, they represent immortality while in Greek culture, they’re significant to the Goddess Aphrodite. Because of their associations with learning, initiation and mentorship, they’ve also become secular tokens of gratitude, a symbolic acknowledgement of wisdom and knowledge having been exchanged or received. Since this is probably the notorious biblical fruit which got Adam and Eve kicked out of paradise by introducing to them the knowledge of their innate sensuality, it’s frequently used by witches for spells involving sex, attraction, love and romance. To me, apples are powerfully symbolic of the Crone Goddess and her sacred wisdom, of life’s deeper mysteries and the magick of temporary dormancy (which, in my corner of the world, we’re currently seeing nature embrace as she does annually each time the sun enters Libra!) As such, this fruit is crucial to my spell-work and altar décor around this time of year, but perhaps the most powerful way to work with apples as a magickal tool is of course to ingest them directly. Since I’m personally allergic to the skin of the fruit, I can only eat apples cooked in a recipe or fermented as cider, so I’ve embraced an autumnal practice of intentionally preparing the below mulled cider and drinking it throughout the colder months (if you didn’t think the above literary analysis was going to end in a cocktail recipe, you don’t yet know me well!) Below is the recipe for my magickal cider alone — it’s absolutely delicious by itself — but you can certainly add a hint of apple brandy (Apfel from Germany is the best) and if you combine equal parts spiked cider and a white wine of your choice over ice, it becomes a fantastic fall sangria (I like to use Bartenura Moscato because it’s sweet and effervescent, but you might prefer something drier like a crisp chardonnay.) I think of consuming this cider as a spell for connection with the Crone goddess and accessing my innate wisdom, but if apples represent something different to you or within the context of your cultural background, know that the cider will be imbued with whatever intention and meaning you attribute to it (plus, all the magick and energy of the added spices.)
*The Persephone myth is often incorrectly told in such a way that Demeter and Hades essentially trade ownership of her once a year (and she doesn’t seem to do much of importance in the interim), but this isn’t at all the case; following her initial abduction and consumption of the pomegranate seeds, she ultimately learns to become Queen of the Dead and rather than playing meek or decidedly less-powerful consort to Pluto, she’s widely considered in Greco-Roman myth to be her own entity, a powerful force in and of herself and even a decider in the Underworld, a psychopomp who guides the newly deceased through the Underworld. There’s even evidence to suggest that “Pluto” was originally an ancient female deity, actually understood as synonymous with our modern understanding of Persephone as Pluto’s feminine consort. I like to think of her myth as the archetypal story of an Underworld journey — descending into the darkness only to realize that we actually have a gift at communicating with the dead. Persephone not only transcends her fear and transitions out of naïve maidenhood during her time in the Underworld— she learns to reign and rule it, which is pretty badass.
Ingredients:
🍎A gallon of apple cider, local if possible (can be charged under moonlight or imbued with specific intentions prior to being mulled.)
🍎A pinch of ground cinnamon for protection and vitality throughout the winter months, plus a few whole sticks for steeping (optional)
🍎A pinch of ground clove, plus three whole cloves for steeping (for protection)
🍎A pinch of allspice, for health, prosperity and a little kick!
🍎A pinch of ground nutmeg for luck
🍎A pinch of brown sugar for sweetness and attraction
Add the cider to a large pot and heat on low (do not overheat or allow it to come to a boil!) Add the spices one at a time, infusing any specific intentions into the ingredients as you mindfully stir them in. Stir counter-clockwise nine times and as you do, think about what you’d like to release this Mabon. If there are any people, habits, mindsets or situations you’d like to leave behind before entering rest season, imagine those things gently dissolving, that energy returning to the Earth to be neutralized and repurposed. Then, stir nine times clockwise, this time focusing on any last-minute magick you’d like to work before the season of rest. This potion will help you attract your desires, so be very mindful as you visualize yourself receiving them with appreciation and grace. As you gaze into the liquid and watch the spices dissolve, taking in the aromas, allow yourself to gently receive any messages which may come through from the surface of the liquid or the steam. Hold your hands over the warming cider and think about a time in your life where like Maiden Persephone, you experienced a personal Underworld Journey. Think about the strength that you conjured, the resilience you demonstrated, and think also about whatever served as your torch-light through those dark times — realize that that is the love of the Crone goddess coming through. Allow yourself to feel gratitude for being the person you are today, strong, capable and incredible. Or maybe you want to think about a period of time where like Snow White, you entered a state of intentional dormancy — maybe you’re even in one of those periods now, or just in the process of coming out of one. Contemplate that like nature, we too move through cycles of death and rebirth — it’s all natural, magickal, and part of our personal process. Allowing ourselves to rest and retreat if we need to is actually one of the most productive things we can do — often, it’s the very thing that heals us and moves us through one life phase and safely into another. At this point, recite any mantras or affirmations if you’d like to work any specific magick today. Allow the cider to remain on the burner until warmed through, stirring occasionally and mindfully. Serve warm or cold, alone or spiked, and with a cinnamon sugar rim if you’d like to amplify the attraction energy of the potion.
My man and I enjoyed these last night spiked with apple brandy (I eyeball it but for a mug this size, a 1/4 — 1/2 oz. is plenty!)
Find Your Balance
Many people don’t realize that while the Autumnal Equinox marks the first day of fall, it’s actually an astrological event determined by the sun’s yearly entrance into Libra (which always occurs around the time of the 21st but, depending on the year, happens anywhere from the 18th to the 23rd.) It’s fitting that the Autumnal Equinox is marked by the first day of Libra Season, the harmony-oriented sign of the Scales, as both the yearly equinoxes are named such because, due to the sun’s proximity to the equator on these dates, day and night are more or less of equal length (the word equinox is Latin and literally translates to mean “equal night.”) As such, balance becomes a prevalent theme for the Autumnal Equinox in particular and as Mother Earth takes a moment to recalibrate, it’s a very appropriate and often necessary invitation for us to come back to center both literally and energetically, to acclimate to the changing season and find ways to nurture and support ourselves as we ease into the transition. It’s humbling to realize how affected by the Earth’s changing seasons and cycles we are physically, emotionally and also energetically — what felt good or worked for us in June might be completely antithetical to our autumnal routines and preferences. As the weather patterns change (if they do in your area), do you notice your throat getting dry, your lips getting chapped? Many of our physical self-care systems and routines developed in the warmer months may need tweaking this time of year as we’re called to up our water intake, adjust our skincare routine and pull out the thicker comforter and warmer bedding. If you’re someone who suffers from SAD or some other variety of the winter blues, is there something you can do now to get your mental health in check in preparation for the darker months ahead? As the temperatures drop, we often experience dramatically different food cravings and appetite levels — take the time to notice what your body’s in the mood for and explore different recipes ideas that appeal to your cold-weather cravings (for me, gone are the days of light dinners in the form of lettuce wraps and seven-layer dips — this time of year, you can catch me making smoky mac n’ cheese with aged gouda and crumbled bacon!) As a kitchen witch, food for me is always a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and usher in a new season — maybe you make a tradition of having your first casserole or soup of the season on the Autumnal Equinox. If you haven’t been getting a lot of physical touch, the Equinox is a good time to book a massage or pedicure or to get some routine energy-work done; when I was seeing clients in my reiki practice, many of them would see me four times a year at each equinox and solstice, as the weather change would gently remind them that they were due for a full-body rebalance. But the season’s shift is also a natural cue to take internal stock of where you might need a reset. Ask yourself whether your habits, routines, personal protocols and systems are still feeling good and working for you. How are your energy levels? As the seasons change, do you want to start going to bed a little bit earlier, or staying up a little later? Is this a good time to cut back on hours at work? To socialize a little more (or less)? Do you need to create some boundaries with a specific individual? Allow the moment’s vibe shift to prompt you into deeper self-reflection and bring to your attention anything that could use an adjustment.
Another important fall ritual of mine? I briefly abandon my go-to light pink manicure for blood red nails — a mini-spell for continued vitality and energy as the cold approaches.
A Tarot Spread for the Fall Equinox:
Card 1: What am I ready to release or accept this Mabon? (You will know through which lens to interpret your card based on what you pull!)
Card 2: How can I go about releasing or accepting this with grace?
Card 3: How can I take care of myself and support myself through this moment of transition? What do I need that I might not be aware of?
Card 4: How can I attract my desires before rest season? (Be specific about what you’re working to call in.)
Card 5: How can I achieve greater balance this Autumnal Equinox?
Card 6: What do I need to know at this time? What do I need to pay attention to?
Card 7: What strengths or previous lessons can I draw upon to support myself now? What parts of myself am I not accessing that would help me more than what I think?
Card 8: Applicable wisdom for the moment.
Card 9: My guiding card for Shadow Season.
Card 10: A message from Hekate.
Happy Autumnal Equinox!
-Ali
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